Like so many
other churches in England,
the origins of Great St. Mary’s date to the Saxon period.
However, as is usual,
nothing remains from that date.

The earliest
remains, which is the bulk of the body of the church, dates to the 13th
Century. The tower was a very late addition dating to the Tudor period,
the
last major work being the brick tower staircase.

Of course, the
Victorians got their hands on the church and renovated it which gives
the
church a rather-too-neat look and makes it feel less venerable than it
actually
is. The church today is a bit hidden off the main drag of
Sawbridgeworth, but
is worth trying to seek out.

Incidentally,
there is some debate over whether the church is Great St. Mary’s
(singular) or
Great St. Marys’ (plural), why the ‘Great’ is there
at all, and even which St.
Mary is being referred to!